Law confirms shopkeepers cannot refuse cash payments

Belgian shops, cafes and restaurants can not refuse cash payments, even if, for a few years, some restaurants, food trucks and thrift shops including Episode have only accepted cards.The federal government has approved a bill to that effect proposed in April 2023 by Socialist economy minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne.Current rules around paying with money are based on European case law, but uncertainty remained.“There was no basis for shopkeepers to refuse cash,” said Etienne Mignolet, an economy ministry spokesperson.To punish infringements against the rules, a law in Belgium was also needed. This means that from now on, shopkeepers can be sanc…